The DL slot in many fantasy leagues is one of the most misused and misunderstood positions on fantasy baseball teams. For most people, it’s believed to be where the hopes and dreams of their teams like Mike Morse, Chris B. Young (or if you like your KFC version, it’s Krispie Young) and Jacoby Ellsbury go to die while you go stick your head in the proverbial oven…or the literal oven, depending on how much you’re into this game. For others, they see it for what it could and should always be used for: an empty bench spot. To put it in literary canonical terms, it’s not just there for Paradise Lost, it’s also there for Paradise Regained (PS, I was an English major in college. PSS, I didn’t read either, that is what Cliff’s Notes is for. PSSS, now don’t tell me how bad my grammar is as I only read Chaucer, I didn’t write it. PSSSS, don’t get an English degree, you won’t use it unless you plan on teaching or being homeless.). Not only can you sock away one of your already owned injured players here, you can also put your imagination to the test when your team is healthy and use the spot or spots for a big dive into the ‘what if?’ pool. Don’t get too wrapped up on the concept that the player may or may not come back successfully. That is not the point. The point is you don’t know what your team is going to look like in a week, a month or two months which means you don’t know if some guy that is on the DL could make an impact for your team when they come back. With that, let’s get started on the first batch of players that are less than 50% owned in ESPN, Yahoo and Fleaflicker leagues:

Lorenzo Cain (ESPN 5.9%/Yahoo 15%/Fleaflicker 29%): March Grey told you to buy him and now whenever this gets posted ONC is telling you to stash him if you can. He was recently sent to rehab which is worrisome. I didn’t think he was friends with Josh Hamilton *re-reads news blurb* Ah, he’s been sent on his rehab assignment to double-AA as of April 22nd and there is hope he’ll be back within a week. If your DL spot is lonely, give it a little Sugar!

Mike Carp (ESPN 1.7%/Yahoo 13%/Fleaflicker 16%): It’s hard to tell which Carp is going to show up at your door. Will it be the one pan-seared in butter with rosemary and thyme that gave us a .322 average and 8 homers from July through August of 2011 or will he be the September Carp that your cat found in your neighbor’s trash can and drop a .230 average on you while still hitting 4 bombs? And was that first analogy delicious or what? The power is real, the average should be about .270’ish and he should be back as soon as he demonstrates he can play something other than DH. Go Fish!

Freddy Sanchez (ESPN 0.4%/Yahoo 2%/Fleaflicker 2%): This one may be more of a deep league or NL-Only call, but all I can say is he can hit .300 while providing a decent amount of runs with little to no power nor speed. Wanna know who that reminds me of? Daniel Murphy, the guy who’s hitting .321 who has scored 5 runs and has a 0/0 in the homerun and stolen base department through 14 games and is owned at a 92.6% clip over at ESPN. You say poh-tay-toe I say tubers because I like being difficult. He is set to begin his rehab assignment on April 23rd. If you’re in need, there are worse things you can do to your middle infield than give it a Freddy Sanchez.

@Oregon Nut Cups, still might be a chance to grab Torres if he is sitting on the wire/DL purgatory. With Bay hobbled, Torres has at least a shot at getting time there when he comes back. Considering the flying Dutchman has had some adventures in CF I see him sliding to LF upon return of Torres.

I have Freddy stashed on my DL (bench) and I have Manny Buriss as his stand-in. One thing that is difficult with the DL spot is when someone like Freddy comes back, do you automatically let Manny go knowing that Fragile is one stubbed toe or sinus infection away from the 60-day DL?

In a 12+ team NL-only league this becomes a very interesting issue with so much crap on the wire at 2B/SS.

*Watched Freddy in San Jose last night and his swing was back. He at least is trusting his shoulder for batting. He DH’d only but is going to play 2B later this week. Really think he is going to be at the back end of that 20 day limit to come up to SF. In his exciting post game single-A interview he was not overly confident about throwing a baseball.

@bean, Good question. I think how Manny plays will determine how aggressive they are in bringing Sanchez back. So far, so good for Manny. I’m assuming he’ll taper and at that point, you won’t have too much of an issue on your hands.

Never good to hear lack of confidence in being able to throw the ball, though.

Is it just me, or is it impossible to add DL-d guys straight to the DL in ESPN? I just traded Crawford & have an open DL spot. So I’d be happy to pick up Bay & stash him on the DL in case I end up needing him later. But I’d have to drop somebody, then add Bay, then DL Bay, then hopefully re-pick up whoever I dropped?

@BERK, You have to drop to grab. Lot of people have pitching stream options and you can make the move then. Definitely don’t drop someone you actually want/need to grab a DL guy but when it comes time to make a move, might as well add two for the price of one.

@Oregon Nut Cups, Ah yes, I wasn’t even counting BJ Upton and Baker (for whom I traded Broxton 2 days before Baker’s end of season surgery was announced) who were both occupying active roster spots during this injury parade…

@Jack, I didn’t want to put too many of them up and overwhelm. I’d like this to be a bit more regular, closer to monthly. Maybe there’ll be time in the scheduling of these for a part two next week. We’ll see.

I’ve been carrying the albatross that is Kyle Farnsworth on my DL along with Chase Utley in the other. Then Krispie went down and I tried to hold onto all three. Now Krispie will be on the shelf longer than I expected.

One of my two UTIL’s in this relatively deep Yahoo league is Brendan Boesch, which has been trying to say the least. Ackley is manning second.

This morning I cut Utley and Ackley and picked up Nate Schierholtz (over Nieuwenhuis) and grabbed Altuve. What do you think of these moves?

@John, Depending on league size, I probably would’ve looked for trade partner with Ackley but definitely don’t blame you for dropping Utley. Schierholtz is a hot schmomato. I’d probably prefer Nieuwenhuis long term, especially with the fresh DL stint for Bay. I like Altuve, just think maybe Ackley had more trade value than simply dropping him outright.

@Oregon Nut Cups, I would tend to agree about Ackley and trade value, but it seems like a hassle in this league. I’ll revist picking up Kirk or maybe keep Nate and grab Kirk so I can create the Schierwenhuisholtz.

@Chris, I like it for you too. Stanton’s value is about as low as it’s gonna get, and you didn’t even have to sell him for 50c on the dollar. Even if you don’t think Cano is 1st round value like ONC, there’s always somebody that does so you could flip Cano for a real 1st rounder if you wanted.

@mikey boy324, I assume this isn’t a keeper? I don’t think there’s a huge rush just yet but if you have room there’s never a reason not to; just don’t be surprised if you drop him in 2 or 3 weeks. LaHair has been steady and Rizzo has put up video game numbers in the minors before. I’d still think June so you have time if you want to stash him later.

@moses, I’m no expert but I like Cain more. He’s the definition of consistency. Sub 3 ERA, Sub 1.15 WHIP, bout 175 Ks. Only thing has been his run support. People say I’m crazy but I like him more than Lincecum.

I have Utley clogging my DL in one league and Howard in another, and I’m a Mets fan oddly enough.. the Utley league I’m holding only b/c Aviles is my guy and all of the Kelly Johnson, Aaron Hill 2bs seem to be rostered (12 team yahoo league)….But this post is mostly regarding Howard. Just traded for Farnsworth so moved him to my DL. Now I’m playing survival of the unfittest at first base with Morneau, Ike Davis, and Ryan Howard. Out of those 3 first baseman, which would you drop? 10 team ESPN league, comptetive money league $125 entry $2 per waiver add (I already have almost 20 adds – added Bauer for Ervin Santana tonight)…what to do at first base please help…thanks.

@Ben, Ooph, that’s quite the unholy trinity. I’d probably drop Howard. Given that it’s a 10 team league, there’s only so many people you can hold on to. At least Morneau isn’t on the DL; only thing going for him over Howard in my opinion.

it’s been a long time since i was in school , and i’m aware that
history has changed , but , when did post-post-script (pps) become pss ??

here’s a dl move that you may , or may not , enjoy :

recently added bret anderson and dropped jorge de la rosa .
not because i like anderson (‘cuz i don’t) nor do i think that he’ll return
before jdlr (because he won’t) , but ,
because i don’t think that jdlr will be effective , when he returns , and
i want some else to roster him !

except for all of the pssssss’s ….. nice article .
and your approach to fbb remains solid .

@chata, I told you not to belittle me for my grammar! Of The Rose was wild before and he’ll be even more so when he comes back. I like Brett and almost included him in the list. Maybe he makes the next one. TBD.

Postscript, thanks. I like to think of myself as the A’s hitter of fantasy baseball. I don’t do much great, but at least provide a good OBP.

Other owner in my league agreed to the below trade:
I give: Kendrys
I get: Heyward

Then after I sent the offer; he says “On paper it doesn’t feel right for me”. His starting 1B is currently Ike and really has no power at CI/UTL. so, needless to say I’m slightly upset. Still, I’d like to get Heyward (especially in an OPS league). He’s now asking me to throw in a SP. here’s my rotation; which would be a fair player to add to the deal:

@Scottie O., It’s interesting that he liked that deal straight across the board in the first place. Because he was, I wouldn’t try any of the 4 at the top of that list. Try Minor or Drabek and see if he bites.

@Howie Met Your Mother, Sorry, Howie, I’m no Rudy but your upside for him is probably his 2011 line. It’s useful, but not very pretty. If you feel the need to make a move, I’d try a trade first to someone and then pick up Mesoraco. Keep your eye on Ryan Lavarnway for Boston as well. Say hi to my moms for me.